Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, with backup Charlie Whitehurst set to make his first NFL start, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Thursday.

Matt Hasselbeck

Hasselbeck suffered a concussion late in the Seahawks’ 33-3 loss at Oakland last week on a play where his head hit the ground, Carroll said.

The level of Hasselbeck’s concussion wasn’t certain until Thursday when doctors concluded he wouldn’t be ready this week. He’ll still have to pass tests next week to be cleared to play in the following game at Arizona.

“This is in the day and age where so much is on everybody’s minds about taking care of guys’ concussions and all that stuff,” Carroll said. “Obviously we’re doing the very right thing here in taking care of Matt and hope that he’ll get well over the weekend and be ready to come back next week.”

Whitehurst has never started in his five seasons in the league. In fact, he’s yet to throw a regular-season pass after four years as the No. 3 QB in San Diego and this season as Hasselbeck’s backup.

But that will change in a hurry against a Giants’ defense that has knocked out five quarterbacks in seven games this season. The Giants are ranked second in the NFL in fewest yards allowed overall and are No. 2 against the pass and No. 3 against the rush.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks are operating with an offensive line now minus its original two starting guards, Max Unger and Ben Hamilton, while left tackles Russell Okung (ankle) and Tyler Polumbus (knee) also seem unlikely to play this week.

Charlie Whitehurst

“There are challenges every week, no matter who you play or who is in there,” Whitehurst said. “We’re confident we can go out with the group we have and execute and win, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

Whitehurst played three snaps on Seattle’s last series against Oakland, but just handed the ball off.

Zac Robinson, an undrafted rookie out of Oklahoma State, will be promoted off the practice squad to serve as Whitehurst’s backup this week, Carroll said.

“I’m excited for Charlie to get his chance. He came here to play and he’s looking forward to it,” Carroll said.

Carroll said the Seahawks won’t dramatically change their game plan in Hasselbeck’s absence and had already been working this week with Whitehurst in mind.

Hasselbeck has thrown 4,071 career passes in the NFL compared to Whitehurst’s zero, but the team bravely believes nothing really changes.

“Besides a new voice, hopefully not much,” right tackle Sean Locklear said. “I think we have faith in Charlie. He’s been around all year and gotten his snaps here and there in practice and preseason games. We’re confident he can step in and get the job done.”

Whitehurst said he had a feeling all week that he’d be called on against the Giants.

As for going up against a defense that has knocked out Tony Romo, Matt Moore, Jay Cutler, Todd Collins and Shaun Hill this season?

“I’m going out there to make my first start. I’ve got a lot to worry about and I’m not going to worry about that,” Whitehurst said. “I’m confident in the guys up front that they can do their jobs.

“I know what they’ve done to quarterbacks this year. But we’re confident that we’re going to go out there and play well.”